When Waiting Becomes My Thorn

Welcome! This week we are in Chapter 5 “Do You Know I Am Suffering with a Thorn?...He Is My Sufficiency” of Angela Thomas’ book Do You Know Who I Am?

Last week, I wrote about being weary and worn out, but there’s a weariness I didn’t mention…the weariness of waiting on God.

Hoping, trusting, and praying for years and years, without seeing Him make changes…it makes me tired and frustrated.

I’m talking about real-life situations that can only be changed by the hand of God…praying for a loved one to come to faith, a child to come back home, addictions to be broken, marriages to be healed, love to be found, the list goes on.

I trust, and I hope, and I pray…but some days I am tired of waiting for God to do something!

So, I wonder…is my weariness of waiting on God my thorn?

Please don’t misunderstand—I’m not saying that God’s timing or His ways are my thorn. What I’m saying is that I can’t do this waiting thing on my own, and that’s my thorn.

Some days go well. I trust God’s plan and I have faith that He will make the changes He sees necessary in His perfect time. I know He has a purpose for my life and His plans are worth waiting for.

Then there are other days. When I bump into my thorn (what I am waiting for) and it hurts all over again. Maybe you know the days I’m referring to…I’ve been hurt by the same person or situation. Again. I’m discouraged and frustrated, and it’s leading me to feel angry and fed up. With everyone and everything.

My thorn is inflicting pain, and in my weariness of waiting, I’m tired and cranky, and I’ve started questioning God.

God, can’t You see what’s happening here? Why don’t You change it? Why won’t You do something?!?

The enemy has me where he wants me—doubting God. I’m tired of waiting, so if God’s not going to work on the situation, it’s time to take it into my own hands, right?

What a dangerous path I’m starting down. If I’m doubting God, who’s going to help me get through this waiting? Not the enemy because he has me right where he wants me, and that’s a place I don’t want to go.

So, with the pain of my thorn, I turn to God, crying out my frustration to Him. I remember that I can always trust Him, even when I don’t trust others.

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O Lord, help and comfort me. (Psalm 86:15-17 NLT)

God listens, consoles, and strengthens me for the wait. He diffuses my anger before I react in a way that will make everything worse. He knows my weaknesses, and He knows patience is one of the many.

Satan will to use my thorn to hurt me. But God will use it for good, if I let Him. Only God can turn hearts and change the real-life situations. Only He can end the waiting. But in and through the wait, my faith and trust in Him will grow deeper and stronger. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn to wait patiently.

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with On Your Heart Tuesday, WomenLiving Well Wednesday, Word FilledWednesday, Allume, Life in Bloom, and Thought ProvokingThursday. 

Look to the Lord for Help {Something to Think About}

As for me, I look to the Lord for help.

I wait confidently for God to save me,

and my God will certainly hear me.

(Micah 7:7 NLT)

Wait on, and trust in, the Lord!

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with:
Jumping Tandem - The Sunday Community, 
Fresh Brewed Sundays, Scripture Sunday, 
Spiritual Sundays, and Sharing His Beauty.

Do You Know Who I Am? Study - Week 5

Welcome and thanks for visiting! We're in chapter 5 this week of Do You Know Who I Am? and Other Brave Questions Women Ask by Angela Thomas.

Happy Memorial Day!

In Christ,

Laura

Week 5 – May 27—June 2

Monday/Tuesday—Read the first half of Chapter 5 “Do You Know I Am Suffering with a Thorn?...He Is My Sufficiency.” Journal your thoughts in your book or a notebook as you read.

Remember to visit my blog during the week at Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith.

Wednesday/Thursday—Read the second half of Chapter 5.

Friday—Spend time in prayer and reflection. Catch up on the reading if necessary.

Questions to Ponder— (from the end of the book)

• What is your “thorn”?
• What could God be showing you by not removing it right now?
• How can you use your weaknesses to be a stronger person, and strengthen your faith?

Weary and Worn Out

“My heart whispers to God, ‘Do You know that I am worn out? Do You see how hard I’m trying? Do You know I can’t keep up?’” –Angela Thomas, Do You Know Who I Am?

I didn’t write this, but I could have, and I would venture to say many others could have written it too. Some days weeks I feel exhausted and worn out. It doesn’t matter what I do because it never seems like enough, and no matter how hard I try to keep up, I can’t.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT)

For years this has been one of my favorite verses. I feel like Jesus is telling me directly, “I know how your struggles weigh you down. Come to me and rest.”

I know I need to rest—physically, spiritually, and emotionally—but there is so much I’m responsible for, I can’t get myself to slow down long enough to replenish. I struggle with giving myself permission to let go of something for a while and relax.

God not only gives that permission, it’s the way He created us—to need rest. And He provides it…physical rest for our bodies, spiritual rest for our souls, and emotional rest for our hearts. Through His power, God renews us.

Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion. (Isaiah 40:28-30 NLT) 

God never feels weak or weary. He is never exhausted. Through His limitless understanding, He knows everything about me—how hard I try, how disappointment and discouragement drain me, and how worn out I am.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)  

Hope and trust in this world is crushing, but hope and trust in the Lord is uplifting. He sets me on eagle’s wings—with strength and energy, a new attitude to face the day, and a new resolve to persevere.

Thank you for joining me here today. We are in chapter 4 “Do You Know I Am Worn Out?...He Does Not Grow Weary” of Do You Know Who I Am? by Angela Thomas.

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with On Your Heart Tuesday, Women Living Well Wednesday, Word Filled Wednesday, Life in Bloom, Thought Provoking Thursday, and Faith Filled Friday.